SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) — Rescued fisherfolk expressed their gratitude to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) as they were able to safely return to their homes in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro after running afoul a reef in Balabac, Palawan on January 29.
According to Restituto Comendador, captain of the F/V ANDREI SARAH, their fishing boat capsized on Onok Island in Balabac due to harsh weather, causing them to be stranded in the area.
“Hindi ako nagpasira ng loob, basta ang inuna ko yung tao na, para maligtas lang kami lahat,” Comendador said.
Fortunately, there is a detachment unit of PCG on the said island to whom they called for help.
“Doon po sa PCG ng Balabac, maraming salamat po, lalong lalo na sa detachment commander. Napakabait po nila at na-appreciate po namin yung [pag-]accomodate na ibinigay niyo po sa amin,” he said.
(To the PCG of Balabac, thank you, especially to the detachment commander. They were very kind, and we appreciate the accommodation that they provided us.)
Thirty-seven fisherfolk were aboard the fishing vessel and 32 of them were ferried by the Department of Agriculture- Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) ships back to San Jose on February 2.
According to Comendador, the others chose to stay to look after what remained of their fishing gear and equipment after the waves crushed their boat.
The fisherfolk call for help as their livelihood is greatly affected because of the incident.
“Kailangan po talaga namin ng tulong kasi ito lang ang pinakukunan namin ng income… ito lang ang alam naming hanapbuhay… doon lang kami umaasa sa kikitain namin… yung paglaot namin,” said Comendador.
Meanwhile, the DA BFAR immediately provided grocery items, rice, and clean drinking water amounting to more than P60,000 for the rescued fisherfolk.
BFAR MIMAROPA will also coordinate with other government agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Labor and Employment to provide additional help for the fisherfolk. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA-Occidental Mindoro/Photos courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard South in Western Palawan)
